The
Citadel broke ground today on a $27 million building project that will
return Padgett-Thomas Barracks to its previous glory.

Construction
is expected to begin June 1 on the new barracks. The original building,
which opened in 1922 when the college moved from Marion Square, was closed
in 2000 after being deemed structurally unsafe. The building was razed
in 2001.

The
project will be paid for with $11 million in state funds and $15 million
in federal funds. The remaining $1 million is expected to come from state
bond bills between now and 2004 when construction will be completed.

Turning
the soil at the construction site today were South Carolina Comptroller
General James A. Lander, United States Senators Ernest Hollings of South
Carolina and Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, Leonard Fulghum, chairman of The
Citadel Board of Visitors; Citadel President Major General John S. Grinalds,
2002 Regimental Commander Cadet Colonel. Bobby Cox, Alumni Association
President Ernest Long and Emmett Davis of Davis & Floyd Architects.

"We
are eager to move forward with the construction of Padgett-Thomas," Grinalds
said. "With the growing interest in The Citadel and our military style
of education, we need PT Barracks to help us educate more young men and
women to become America's next generation of leaders."

Lander
said it's fitting that the state play a part in rebuilding PT Barracks
because of the leadership training that takes place at The Citadel.

"One
only has to look at the military and political leaders, the business executives,
the doctors, lawyers, teachers and ministers and those Citadel graduates
in many other careers to know that the leadership training that has taken
place in Padgett-Thomas Barracks and in other barracks produces young
men and women who contribute greatly to society," Lander said.

One
such leader is Hollings, who lived in PT Barracks before graduating in
1942.

"The
Citadel has no better friend than Danny Inouye," Hollings said. "He appropriated
$15 million for the Padgett-Thomas Barracks - barracks that will attract
the best of the best the next generation of leadersmen and women who
love their countrywho will defend our soil...who will take their place
in our war on terrorism."

Fulghum,
who retires this year after 25 years on The Citadel Board of Visitors,
said it was sad to see the barracks demolished last summer.

"We
always knew that PT Barracks would return, however, we thought it might
take many years to raise the money," he said. "On behalf of The Citadel
family, I give my heartfelt thanks to Senator Hollings, Senator Inouye
and Mr. Lander for helping make this groundbreaking possible today."

The
barracks are expected to open in time for the 2004-2005 academic year.

Following
the groundbreaking ceremony, Sen. Inouye laid a wreath at the gravesite
of Gen. Mark W. Clark, former president of The Citadel and commander of
the Fifth Army where Senator Inouye served during World War II. He also
was presented with an honorary Doctor of Public Administration degree
during the Corps of Cadets parade.